He also spoke of improvement in gender parity in peacekeeping operations – both at Headquarters and in the field – where representation of women has slightly improved:

“More women in peacekeeping simply makes peacekeeping more effective. We need to significantly enhance the number of female peacekeepers at all levels and within uniformed as well as civilian components. We must also ensure that they are able to meaningfully participate in our work. Women are only 21% of our personnel. We must do better. The policies that we have promoted can only be achieved through the active involvement of Members States. I therefore welcome the efforts undertaken by a number of Member States, and I call on all of you to further these initiatives and significantly increase your contributions of women peacekeepers.”

Exposing workers to toxic substances a “vicious form of exploitation”: UN expert

Exposure of workers to toxic substances can and should be considered a form of exploitation and is a global health crisis, says a UN expert.

Baskut Tuncak, UN Special Rapporteur on hazardous substances and wastes, told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday that governments and companies must strengthen workers protection from any exposure to toxic chemicals.

One worker dies approximately every 30 seconds from exposure to toxic chemicals, pesticides, radiation and other hazardous substances, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Mr Tuncak said that poverty, gender, age, ethnicity and migration are among the themes that frequently recur in cases of workers and toxic harms.

In his report, Mr. Tuncak writes that every worker has a right to dignity, to be treated ethically, with respect and without being subjected to conditions of work that are dehumanizing or degrading.